The 20 Healthiest Menu Options At Your Favorite Fast Food Joints

Unless you've got a superhuman penchant for only healthy food, chances are that you enjoy the occasional burger (or three). However, as we all know, fast food is far from being the healthiest option in the world and often packs a serious punch when it comes to calories. So, more often than not, we'll deny ourselves the fix we've been craving for the sake of our waistlines.

But what if I told you that you could get the best both worlds? AKA you could visit McDonald's and satisfy that nagging burger craving content in the knowledge that you won't be tipping the scales? Well, you're in luck. Contrary to popular belief, there are healthy fast food options out there and we've compiled a list of the best to help you out the next time your cravings strike.

1. Chick-Fil-A: Grilled Chicken Cool Wrap

This delicious meal consists of chicken breast with lettuce, red cabbage, carrots, and cheese all rolled into a flaxseed flour flatbread. Jaclyn London, Nutrition Director at the Good Housekeeping Institute, recommends topping it off with a fruit cup.

Total Calories: 360

Total Fat: 13 grams

2. Papa John's: Mediterranean Veggie Pizza

This pizza is one of "Papa's Lighter Choices" which all contain less than 300 calories, but this option is particularly good because it contains tomatoes, onions, banana peppers, mushrooms, and black olives - all of which will give you an added nutritional boost.

Total Calories: 180

Total Fat: 7 grams

3. Denny's: Loaded Veggie Omelet

If you wake up in need of a hearty breakfast, a good low-calorie option is veggies and eggs. Oh, and if you order off the Fit-Fare menu, your meal will be served with a side of seasonal fresh fruit and an English muffin. Delicious!

Total Calories: 480

4. Burger King: Grilled Chicken Sandwich

This one's best ordered without mayo. It has an impressive 26 grams of protein, so it will really fill you up, and if you're looking to stock up on some of your five-a-day, why not order a side of salad too?

Total Calories: 360

Total Fat: 7 grams

5. Starbucks: Sous Vide Egg Bites

This is another meal that contains a lot of protein and there are 13 grams in the egg white and red pepper. It's also a good source of calcium. Have this meal with a latte or misto (minus the added sugar) or some fresh fruit.

Total Calories: 170

Total Fat: 7 grams

6. Subway: Roast Beef and Provolone Sandwich

A six-inch sub on wheat bread contains about 250 calories and London recommends having it with extra veggies!

Total Calories: 250

Total Fat: 5 grams

7. McDonald's: Classic Cheeseburger

This burger is recommended by London because its portion size is bang on. Add extra flavor with pickles, onions, mustard, ketchup, or BBQ sauce. It's also worth noting that it's one of the cheaper items on McDonald's menu so it really is a win-win.

Total Calories: 300

Total Fat: 12 grams

8.Panera Bread: Fuji Apple Salad with Chicken

Chose the half salad and add the balsamic apple vinaigrette for a delicious and healthy meal.

Okay, I know what you're thinking, fried chicken isn't healthy, and you're right, it isn't, but this is one of the healthier items on KFC's menu and there are just 260 calories in two chicken tenders. With a side of green beans and coleslaw, it's not a bad meal.

Total Calories: 260

Total Fat: 14 grams

10.Wendy's: Apple Pecan Chicken Salad

This is another salad that London recommends ordering a half serving of. She also suggests adding a few apple slices.

Total Calories: 340

Total Fat: 17 grams

11.Panda Express: Broccoli Beef

What makes this meal healthy is its simplicity and all it contains is broccoli and beef tossed in a soy ginger sauce. Paired with the side of mixed veggies and brown steamed rice, a half order equates to a pretty healthy meal.

Total Calories: 325

12.Sonic Drive-In: Jr. Burger

The key to winning at this fast food joint is ordering from the kids' menu. This is a delicious and healthy burger, especially when you order it with a container of applesauce. In fact, I'd go as far as to say it's tastier than a Big Mac...

Total Calories: 320

Total Fat: 16 grams

13. Moe's Southwest Grill: Burrito Bowl

Make this burrito bowl with fish, pinto beans, cheese (a light sprinkling), and top it with as much veggies and salsa as you want.

Total Calories: 400

Total Fat: 16 grams

14. Chipotle: Burrito Bowl

The healthiest burrito bowl option is fajita steak and pinto beans, coupled with as much veggies and salsa as you can handle, London says. The key here is avoiding high-calorie items like calorie-heavy rice, guac, and cheese.

15. Potbelly: Mediterranean Sandwich

This tasty sandwich is made of Hummus, feta, artichokes, cucumbers, and roasted red peppers - and is a mere 470 calories.

16.Taco Bell: Fresco Style Crunchy Beef Taco

Order a crunch taco to cut down on the amount of sodium you're eating. Then, at just 170 calories a taco, you can have two.

Total Calories: 330

Total Fat: 19 grams

17. Pizza Hut: Veggie Lover's Slice

Instead of getting your own personal pizza, share one with friends. If you eat a slice of veggie lover's (which you can have with extra veggies), why not pair it with a huge side salad? It's healthy and it will fill you up.

Total Calories: 230

Total Fat: 9 grams

18. Hardee's: Low Carb Charbroiled BBQ Chicken Sandwich

The great thing about ordering this chicken sarnie (made up of lettuce, tomato and BBQ sauce) on a lettuce wrap instead of a bun (as pictured) is that you can cut out a lot of sodium from your meal as bread contains so much salt.

Total Calories: 190

Total Fat: 4 grams

19. Jack in the Box: Grilled Chicken Salad

This tasty green bowl is made up of sliced chicken, cheddar cheese, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and croutons, plus a low-fat balsamic.

Total Calories: 370

20. Five Guys: Little Hamburger

While almost 500 calories might sound like a fair bit for a small hamburger and a bun, bear with me. It also contains an impressive 25 grams of protein and you can load it up with as many vegetables as you want - they're free, after all!

Total Calories: 480

Total Fat: 26 grams

So there you have it - 20 healthy fast food options that you can indulge in guilt-free. It just goes to show that with enough knowledge, you really can indulge in fast food and not end up looking like Jabba the Hutt as a punishment.